There are more than 650 commercial apple growers in New York State
Each Columbus Day weekend, my sister and brother-in-law visit from Maryland, and we always earmark one day to go apple picking. Our traditional destination for several years has been Whittier Fruit Farm, located at 219 Whittier Road in Rochester. The prices are a reasonable $.75 per pound for most varieties (Honeycrisps were $1.50) so a huge bucket of most apple varieties is around $20, they provide a bucket for collecting your harvest and we love the fun of taking a wagon ride to the midst of the orchard (available on weekends). The air in the orchard is laced with the sweet smell of autumn and apples.
With apples being one of New York State’s top agricultural bounties, I was surprised when I first learned that records indicate apples didn’t always exist in New York State. Former Governor Peter Stuyvesant is credited with planting the first apple tree from the Netherlands on the corner of Third Avenue and 13th Street in New York City in 1647.
Check the NY Apple Country website for each variety's best use
Now, there are over 650 commercial apple growers in New York State, and New York Apple Country is a terrific resource for all things apple. On the site, you’ll find a map of New York State listing the state’s apple growers. Simply click on the county in which you’d like to pick and you’ll find a list of growers and whether they have a farm stand, a U Pick location, whether they hold special events, offer gift boxes, cider and other products. NY Apple Country also shares a list of the varieties of apples available throughout the state and their flavor and best use as well as a great list of recipes, including everything from main dishes, salads, pies, holiday dishes and sauces.
One of my favorite uses of the fruit is apple sauce, which I make in a crock pot. If you’ve never tried making your favorite sauce recipe in a crock pot, try it this year! You’ll find that the slow cooking method enhances the flavor of the apples.
P.S. Did you know that apples are one of the healthiest snacks you can eat? Check out all these nutritional reports showing that apples can be beneficial for fighting cancer, reducing weight, lowering cholesterol, preventing prostate cancer and more!
Photos and text copyright 2011 © Carol White Llewellyn. All rights reserved.